Apparatus for cleaning films



WM, ATTORNEYS Aug. 13, 1929.

J. FRANKENBERG APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FILMS Filed Dec. 14, 1927 ljatented ug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OF ONE-HALF T WILLIAM NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING FILMS.

Application filed December 14, 1927. Serial No. 239,848.

The present invention relates to means for and a method of cleanmg and polishingy films.

In the past it has been impossible to clean films both on the celluloid side and on the emulsion side for the reason that all the known cleaning lotions had a deleterious effect on the emulsion side. Consequently the mechanical devices used in cleaning films were complicated structures for they had to embody means to protect one side of the film while cleaning the other. To applicants knowledge there has never been a lotion on the market for cleaning a film on both sides nor has there been a machine for applying a cleaning lotion to both sides of a film.

Applicant having developed a lotion that can be applied to both sides of a. film, it is the object of this invention to provide a method for applying that lotion to both sides of a film and a mechanism for carrying out said method.

All prior methods have been arduous technical processes requiring the services of a skilled operator and the use of very eX- pensive mechanisms.

In late years the number of amateur motion picture producers and operators has increased so amazingly that a serious problem has arisen regarding the reclamation-of the films used by them in their homes. It is at present being solved at av great cost to these home operators by submitting the films to reclamation laboratories usingV the above mentioned expensive machinery and process.

It is therefore a further object of this invention to promote the home motion picture industry by providing a simple mechanism the cost of which will not be prohibitive to the home operator and the operation of which can be mastered by a child. Y

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a mechanism that can be installed in all theatres and which will permit professional operators to clean their films after every daily run. At present due to the aforesaid time and expense necessary for such a cleaning, the practice of cleaning films after every run is prohibitive. Consequently after a few days the film becomes oily and the projection is blurred and indistinct causing dissatisfaction among the patrons. But this problem is admirably solved by applicants device without even necessitating the eX- penditure of extra time by the operator. At the end of every daily run the operator must rewind his film, and since applicants devicel embodies a rewinder, he can now clean and rewind at the same time. Y

Applicants device as before intimated consists merely of a rewinder with a detergcnt applying means placed between the two reels. It is simple, cheap and easy to operate.

The detergent applying device is a simple hinged casing the inside of which is lined with soft material and which is supplied on its cover with a vent to receive the end of a tube connected to a detergent reservoir whereby the detergent is continuously supplied in regulated quantities.

In the construction of this mechanism it is a further object of the applicant to make the cleaning pads easily removable and replaceable.

It is a further object to construct the supply pipe as a swingable membervof resilient material so that it performs the double duty of supply pipeand clamp when in operative position.

It is a still further object to provide means for automatically shutting off' the flow of liquid in the pipe when it is removed from the top ofthe cleaning case. Y

It is a still further object of this invention to so arrange the parts that the assembly presents the attractive appearance of an ornamentalv article of furniture.

In theannexed detailed description from which further advantages will be evident, reference will be hadv to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device.`

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device taken on the line 1-1 of Fig.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section ofi the cleaning clamp on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4l is a cross-section on the line-4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail lV represents a base of any Mounted on either end of rights 2 carrying spindles 4'. One of the uprights carries a handle 5 desired material.v the base are up'- 3 to receive reels Y ends of the channel plate.

mounted on a stud shaft 6 on which is mounted a gear 7 in mesh with another gear 8 which is mounted on the reel shaft 3. This entire arrangement constitutes the ordinary rewind mechanism in common use for transferring film from one reel to another to have the proper end of the film on the outside. Mounted on the base intermedia-te the reel supports is a standard 9. Secured to the standard by any known method is a post 10 having arms 11 in longitudinal alignmentJ with the reel supporta At the end of each ann 1l ie eeeined perpendionlor poete ,l2 each carrying at its top a Channel plate, The channel plate closest the winding reel is designated as 13 and the other channel plate. le. Hinged to. one ,eide oi eaeli Channel plate ie another channel plate adapted 'to be swung into superimposed position with the first inentoned plates. The channel plate superimposed on plate 41.3 is designated, i5., and that superimposed on plate 1,4 is designated as 16. Each of the channel plates 15 and 16 g have in their middle a perforation 17 shown in Figs.e 3 and l Surrounded on the outer Side ot Said .Channel plates by a bead 18. Each heid` .has a ont away portion 19 the purpose of whiCh will be later explained. Monnted on inner tace ot each channel plate is a spring clip 2,0 which extends the lengt-h et the face of and is turned up over the ends of each Said. oliannel plate. Car-y ried by eaoh Spring olip and extending over the outer face thereof is a strip of soft maT telfial 2l Snell felt, velvet or chamois. The ende of this Strip oi? Soft material are tnokefl in between the'. tllrnedover portions of the clip and the body of the clip so that when the clip is sprung on to the channel plate the Strip of soft material is wedged between the spring ends of the clip and the ltis to be noted that the clip is entirely covered by the soft material as is the entire end portion f the Channel plate- 'llie Clips are all the same except that attached to plate 16, which is perforated over its entire surface as shown in Figs." 3 and 4.` As can be seen, the pairs of Channel platee desoriloed above form `a pair of Clamps in longitudinal alignment with each other and in longitudinal alignment with the film reels.

The clampl made up 0f Plates 14 and 16 constitutes a cleaning clamp, and that made up of plates 1,3 and l constitutes a polishing clamp. The soft material covering plates 13. and is of a linergrade than that Covering 14 and 16. The soft material cov- 1 ering plates 14 and 16 is saturated with cleaning iiuid by a device that will be here with explained.i

Mounted on the standard 9 and behind the post 10 is a` post 22 of greater height than post 10 and carryingat its upper end an ordinary oil cup which consists of the base 23, glass body portion 24 and top portion 25 screwed onto the upper end of thc post 22. Mounted on the top of the oil cup is the usual screw plunger for regulating the low of oil from the oil cup. This oil cup constitutes a reservoir for carrying a supply of a quick drying lilm cleaning fluid of the type which is applicable to both sides of a film. Intermediate its ends the post 22 carries a collar 27 on which is mounted spring arms 28 and 29, arm 28 being hollow and arm 29 being solid. The upper part of the poet is hollow troni the top to a point corresponding to the pointof attachment of anni 28 aS shown in Fig.,v At this point there is a vent 30 corresponding in size to the bore of tube 28. rlhe arms 28 and 29 are swingable around the post 22, and are so arranged that their free endscan into the heads 18 by passing through the Vaforesaid out away portions 19. The out away portions 19 have an inclined surface so that when the arms are pushed up these surfaces they are, pnt in tension thereby exert-ing a clamping force on the hinged channel plates. vWhen in the position shown in full lines in Figs. l and 2 the arm 28 establishes a direct fluid conveyingconnection between the reservoir and the clamp made up of plates 14 and 1 6, When, however, the arins are swung to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 the vent 30 is closed and the flow of liquid in arm 28 is automatically shut off.. lVhen the film passes through 'the cleaning clamp it receives a coating 0f cleaning fluid. Since the distance between the cleaning clamp and the polishing clamp is not very large, this coating may not be completely evaporated, So that ineens arepreferably interposed to positively remore any excess moisture from the film before it enters the polishing clamp.. Such means may comprise bowed spring 3 0. having its ends received by slots in the top of post 1Q and covered by a layer of;

velvet 3l removably vattaolned to the bowed spring' by a ,spring clip 32 connection with another bowed spr-ing 3.3 the, ends of. which are secured in slots, 3.4. the arm 35. attached to. poet and wheh is also covered hy a layer of velvet 56 removablyy secured by a spring clip 37. These bowed springs are in yielding Contant since they are mounted in Snpeiiiniposed position- 'llie film passes liewiped off without injury to the film. Referring nowto the drawings, the operation ofthe machine is as follows:

When a. ilin is. tol be cleaned. the reel carer it is inonnted. on the left hand reel snpport. At this stage the arms 28 and 29 are in the position shown in dotted lines in Eig. 2 and the olainpe are swungopen on their hinges- The arno 28 is then swung over the Open faces of the channel plates 14 and 16 llO CII

14, between the wipers 30 and 33, and over -the channel plate 13 and attached to the reel on the winding post. Then the channel plates 15 and 16 are swung into closed position and the bars 28 and 29 are swung into clamping position by virtue of which the fluid connection between the reservoir and the plate 16 is established. The liquid from the reservoir runs through the perforation in the plate 1G onto the spring clip 20. It passes through the perforations in this spring clip and saturates the material 21. This is accomplished when the film is held by the clamp by virtue of the fact that the channel plates are made wider than the widest film in use. The device now being in operative position the handle 5 is turned at the rate of about 60 to 100 revolutions per f minute carrying the film al through the two clamps. On passing through the cleaning clamp the film acquires a layer of cleaning fluid on both sides which is removed on passage through the wiping mechanism whereby the film is practically dry when it enters the polishing clamp.

From the foregoing description of the structure and operation of applicants device it can be seen that it is capable of cheap 'H production, that it does not require skill for its operation, and that it will clean films in an amazingly short period of time requiring no more time than is necessary for the ordinary rewinding operation.

Itis to be understood that the above described device is merely the preferred embodiment of applicants invention in practice and is susceptible to such various changes and modifications within the scope of applicants claims as he may deem advisable to practice.

Having thus fully described the objects and practical embodiment of the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is 1. A device for cleaning films comprising a base, film reel supports mounted on said base, a cleaning device placed intermediate said supports comprising a film clamp lined on its interior with soft material and having open ends to allow passage of said film through said lined interior, and means to moisten said lining with a cleaning lotion, said means comprising a reservoir mounted above the clamp, a swingable pipe mounted on said reservoir and adapted to connect said reservoir to said clamp and means operated by the swinging of said pipe to effect the flow of liquid from said reservoir to said clamp when said connection is made and to stop the fiow of liquid from said reservoir when said connection is broken.

2. A device for cleaning and polishing films comprising a base, a pair of film clamps mounted in longitudinal alignment on said base each clamp comprising superimposed channel plates hinged together on one side and lined with soft material, a reservoir support mounted adjacent the clamps, and means on said reservoir support for clamping the said channel plates together, said clamping means serving to conduct liquid from the reservoir to one of said clamps whereby the film receives a coating of liquid on passage therethrough.

3. A device for cleaning and polishing films comprising a base, a pair of film clamps mounted in longitudinal alignment on said base, each clamp comprising a stationary channel plate and a movable channel plate superimposed on said stationary plate and hinged thereto, each plate carrying a pad of soft material mounted on a spring clip and attached to said plate, a reservoir support mounted adjacent said clamps, a pair of spring arms swingably mounted on said support and pressing on said movable channel plates when in closed position to clamp said movable plates to the stationary plates, and means to conduct liquid from the reservoir to one of said clamps.

4. A device for cleaning and polishing films comprising a base, a pair of film clamps mounted in longitudinal alignment on said base, each clamp comprising a stationary channel plate and a movable channel plate superimposed on said stationary plate and hinged thereto, each movable channel plate having a perforation, each channel plate carrying a pad of soft material mounted on a spring clip clamped at each end of each said channel plate, a reservoir support mounted adjacent said clamps carrying a reservoir having means to regulate the flow of liquid, a pair of spring arms swingably mounted on said support and engaging the perforations in said` movable channel plates when said plates are in closed position to clamp said plates to the said stationary plates and means to conduct liquid from said reservoir to one of said clamps.

5. A device for cleaning and polishing films comprising a base, a pair of film clamps mounted in longitudinal alignment on said base, each clamp comprising a stationary channel plate and a movable channel plate superimposed on said stationary plate and hinged thereto, each movable channel plate having a perforation, each channel plate carrying a pad of soft material mounted on a spring clip clamped at each end of each said channel plate, a reservoir support mounted adjacent said clamps carrying a reservoir having means to regulate the flow of liquid, and a pair of spring arms swingably mounted on said support and engaging the per: forations in said movable channel plates when sai-d plates are in el'osed position to Clamp said plates to the said stationary plates, one of said arms being hollow and connected with the reservoir whereby when it engages the perforation-s in the channel plate liquid is conveyed to said channel plate from said reservoir.

6. A device for cleaning and polishing films comprising a base,l a pair of film @lamps mounted in longitudinal alignment on said base, each Clamp comprising a stationary Channel plate and a movable channel plate superimposed on said stationary plate and hinged thereto', each movable channel plate having a perforation, each' channel plate Carrying a pad of soft material mounted on a spring Clip clamped at each end of each said channel plate, a reservoir support mounted adjacent said clamps carrying a reservoir having means tov regulateV the flow of liquid a pair ofspring arms sWin-gably mounted on said support and. engaging the perforations in said movable channel plates when said plates are in Closed position to clamp said plates to the said stationary plates, one of said arms bein-g hollow and connected with the reservoir whereby when it engages the perforation in the channel plate liquid is conveyed toV said channel platey from said reservo-ir and means whereby When the said arms are swung away from the channel plates the How of liquid in saidY hollow arm is automatically stopped.

7 ln a film Cleaning device a Cleaning pad comprising a flat perforated spring plate having turned over ends and a pad' of soft material mounted on said plate with its' ends clamped under the turned over portions of said plate.

In testimony Whereo-f I have hereunto set my hand. v Y Y J ULIUS FRANKENBERG. 

